Mets trade Matt Harvey to the Reds for Devin Mesoraco

It was known that the Mets needed to do something about their catching situation. They also had a few days to try and trade former phenom Matt Harvey after designating him for assignment. In one move, they accomplished both of those goals. The team traded Harvey to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for catcher Devin Mesoraco and cash.

In regards to salary, the Reds will be paying the remainder of Mesoraco’s $13.125 million contract while the Mets will pay Harvey’s $4.6 million.

While the Giants and the Rangers appeared to be good fits for Harvey, the Reds ended up winning the bid. Conveniently, both teams have been playing one another the past few days, making this one a no-brainer. It is a huge change of scenery for both players. For Harvey, who had a 0-2 record with a 7.00 ERA with the team this season in the rotation and bullpen, he goes from the bright lights of New York City to the NL Central. He is going to a team that is seemingly already out of contention, and has no momentum at the moment. Harvey has an opportunity to return to form in an area where pressure isn’t as common as in New York. He also has the leadership of Joey Votto, the de facto team leader of the Reds. If there is anyone that can set Harvey’s mind right, it is the former MVP.

For Mesoraco, he finally gets an opportunity to be a full time catcher after Tucker Barnhart took over as the permanent catcher for the Reds. Injuries have derailed his career, but when healthy, Mesoraco has shown glimpses of dominance. He is currently hitting .220 with one home run this season. In eight seasons with the Reds, Mesoraco hit .234 with a .715 OPS and 48 home runs. The 29-year old is expected to take the bulk of the catching duties for the Mets. Before him, the team was struggling with Tomas Nido and Jose Lobaton holding down the fort. Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki both went down with injuries before Nido and Lobaton. Travis is out for the season after having Tommy John surgery, while Plawecki is still weeks away after suffering from a fractured bone in his left hand.

In a corresponding move, the team placed Todd Frazier on the 10-day DL. The Mets talked with Frazier and Jay Bruce, former teammates of Mesoraco, about the deal. They had nothing but nice things to say, as anyone in Cincinnati would be able to tell you how much of a model citizen he was during his time on the Reds.

Ready or not, the new, Harvey-less era has begun for the Mets. With questions still surrounding this team, they have a lot to look into. As Mesoraco enters a new chapter in his life as well, only the Baseball Gods will know how he will fair with the Mets.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars folks: the Reds come to Citi Field in August.